He's not esspecially surprised by the lack of warm welcome. After all, how does a house come to have the reputation of being haunted if it doesn't have plenty of cobwebs and darkness to fit the bill. He approaches the house slowly as to take in the atmosphere. All of this will be fodder for his story later so best to experience all the place has to offer.

Then he smiles a little. At least he's here at the right time of year. Now only if Z has been available to come with him. She'd have loved this.

"Geeze. You startled me young man." He turns to look directly at Tim, quickly using his x-ray vision to see through the bushes and confirm it's him.

At that moment, there's the slightest transformation as Clark peeks at Tim over the top of his glasses. His mannerisms shore up and he's suddenly moving like someone who's capable and competent rather than a bumbling reporter.

"You'll need to slow your heartbeat a bit more if you want to get the drop on me." He offers a wry smile, "Don't tell Batman...but it took him a while to perect that trick, too."

The persona drops and he's back to being Clark Kent, "You should be careful, young man. This place is probably not haunted but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous."

Clark appears to be contemplating something for a second, "OK. I think it's safe."

He lowers his glasses a bit and looks at the door with his X-Ray vision, "Probably better to know what's there than not." Esspecially now that he's got to watch out for the boy as well.

He's not certain, but he's pretty sure Bruce would be ticked if Tim got hurt under his watch...not that there's any reason to worry about that...and, of course, he'd probably also tell him Tim can take better care of himself than Clark can.

"Tim? I'd feel a whole heck of a lot safer if you'd let me go first. I know there's certainly nothing to worry about but...mind humoring me?" He knows the young man is compentent and capable, but he is the adult here none the less, "Just in case?"

He chuckles and, in his tone, is the slightest hint of trepidition. It's strange, seeing him like this. The 'mask' doesn't come off, even though they both know who he 'really is.' Then again, Tim probably knows better than anyone not to assume which is the mask and which is the man.

Clark steps forward and very hesitantly grabs the knob. He turns it and swings the door wide in one quick gesture, "huh huh. See? Nothing there." He's trembling...actually trembling.